Tile forming machine



July 1960 R. FARREN TILE FORMING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 30, 1955 v@ w vmv N? 3% Roy Farren IN V EN TOR.

Augmq:

July 5, 1960 R. FARREN 2,943,374

TILE FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 30. 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Roy F arren INVENTOR.

July 5, 1960 R. FARREN TILE FORMING MACHINE Filed Aug. 30, 1955 3 She ets-Sheet 3 Roy Farren INVENTOR.

This invention relates in general to machines. which are specifically designed for forming cementitious products,

and more specifically to an improved tile forming machine.

An object of this invention is to provide an Improved tile forming machine which utilizes a rotary tabl F 1? rotary table having incorporated therein a plurality of l boxe e l b s being ntended t9 ve received therein bottom plates on which the cementitious material forming the tiles rests.

Another object of this invention is to provide an impm cd tom pl te f d for e sin machine the dispensing machines being so constructed whereby the reciprocation of a slide plate having a cam track therein will result in the dispensing of a single bottom plate frqm a stack .of such plates, the operation of the dispensing mechanism being so timed with respect to the positioning of a mold box therebeneath whereby a single botto'm plate is dispensed in each mold box.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like partsfthrpughgut, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the tile fo'rmingrnaehine, which is the subject of this invention, and shows the details of all of the meehanism performing the various steps of operation in the forming of a tile;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a drive mechanism for effecting step-by-step rotation of the rotary table of the tile formingmachine;

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan View of the rotary table per se and shows the arrangement of the mold boxes formed integral therewith within the confines thereof;

Figure 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the dispensing mechanism for automatically dropping a bottom plate into a mold box as such mold box is aligned with the dispensing mechanism, the dispensing mechanism being shown separate from the rotary table for purposes of clarity;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken from right to left in Figure 4 and shows both the details of the tile dispensing mechanism and its relationship with respect to the rotary table and a mold box thereof, also being illustrated the linkage for aetuating the dispensing mechanism;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-6 of Figure 4 and shows the relationship between a slide member having a cam track therein and a follower together with the manner in which the follower is inounted for selectively disengagement from the cam track;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially normal to the view of Figure 6 and shows the specific details of a cam member for ele- States Patent vating the follower out of the cam track during reverse movement of the slide member;

Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective View of the slide member and shows the arrangement of both the cam track formed therein and the stop members thereof for effecting operation of the cam member of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through the housing of the dispensing mechanism of Figure 4 and shows the relation of the housing with respect to bottom plates stacked therein, bottom plate supporting members, and a dispensing plate for effecting dispensing of bottom plates from the housing;

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view similar to Figure 9 and shows the dispensing plate shifted so as to partially release one of the bottom plates, a reversely shifted position of the dispensing plate being shown in dotted lines, also the release position of the lowermost bottom plate being shown in dotted lines.

Referring generally to Figure 1 and proceeding in a clockwise direction about table 10: 178 refers to a cementitions material dispenser; 88 to the bottom plate dispenser mechanism to be further described in detail; 216 to a tile removing device; followed by a smoothing trowel mechanism and a tile tie punching mechanism.

Re e n ow t e dra n s detail, it i be s that there is illustrated in Figure 3, a rotary table which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The rotary table his the central part of the tile forming h n and hq e a 9 I a e or ab e 12 wh ch is circular in outline. Overlying the table 12 adjacent the periphery thereof is an annular member 14 which is P ef r b y formed of s l t ia F med n the annular member 14 in a circumferentially spaced relation is a plurality of mold boxes 16, the individual mold boxes 16 being identical.

The table 12 is; provided with cjentralpivgt 18 which may be supported in any desired manner, but

preferably supported onla built-up support in order to afford proper stability for the rotary table 1%. The rotary table 10 is further supported at spaced intervals about its circumference by suitable Waring members 20 carried by circumferentially spaced standards 22;, as is, best illustrated in Figure 5. The bearing members20 engage the underside of the table 12 and if desired a suitable track may be formed on the table ll althoughfi such a track has not been illustrated.

In the proper operation of this invention, it is desired that the rotary table 10 be rotated in step-by-step movement. In order to accomplish this, there is formed in,

the periphery of the table 12 a plurality of notches 24. The notches 24 are circumferentially spaced in the same relationship as are the mold boxes 16 in order to assure 16 as the rotary mounted a drive pulley 30. Aligned with the drive 32 which is connected to pulley 30 is a driven pulley the drive pulley Si] by a drive belt 34.

Spaced remote from the electric m tor '26 is a support member 36 which has supported therein for rotationa shaft 38 which extends in spaced parallel relationwith respect to the armature shaft 28. The driven pulley 32 is mounted on one end of the shaft 38 in order tq effect rotation of the shaft 38. Carried by the shaft 38 intermediate its ends a worm gear 40. l I

Extending transversely of the shaft 38 and in .overlying relation thereto is an elongated shaft 42.

is supported at its opposite ends by suitable pillow blocks atente u y 5, 71 0.

T e sha 2. v.

block 44 and in meshing engagement with the worm 40 is a worm wheel 48. Thus it will be readily apparent that the shaft 42 will be rotated at a reduced speed.

Disposed between the shaft 42 and the rotary table 10, but spaced a considerable distance from the rotary table is a mounting block 50. The mounting block 50 is provided with spaced pillow blocks 52 in which there is rotatably journaled a shaft 54 disposed in spaced parallel relation with respect to the shaft 42. Carried by the shaft 54 is an enlarged pulley 56 which is aligned with a relatively small pulley 58 along the shaft 42. Entrained over the pulleys 56 and 58 and drivingly connecting the same is a drive belt 60.

Disposed to one side of the mounting block 50 is a pair of longitudinally spaced, vertical guides 62 which have guidingly mounted in the upper portion thereof for reciprocatory movement horizontally disposed arm 64. The arm 64 has connected thereto by a pivotal connection 66 intermediate the guide 62 connecting rod 68.

The opposite end of the connecting rod 68 is journaled as at 70 on a crank 72 which forms an extension of the shaft 54. Thus when the shaft 54 is rotated, the arm 64 is reciprocated to the guide 62.

The end of the arm 64 remote from the crank 72 is bifurcated as at 74 and has pivotally mounted therein through the use of a pivot pin 76 a dog 78. The opposite end of the dog 78 is pointed as at 80 to facilitate the engagement thereof into one of the notches 24.

Carried by the end of the arm 64 adjacent the bifurcations 74 thereof is a L-shaped bracket 82 which is offset to one side of the arm 64. The bracket 82 has connected thereto a spring 84 whose opposite end is connected to the dog 78 to assure pivotal movement of the dog 78 from one of the notches 24 into alignment with a next adjacent notch 24 during the reciprocation of the arm 64 away from the rotary table 10. The bracket 82 also includes a stop member 86 to assure alignment of the dog 78 with the next adjacent notch 24. From the foregoing, it would be readily apparent that the manner in which the step-by-step rotary motion is imparted to the rotary table 10.

Referring now to Figures 4 through 10, inclusive, it will be seen that there is illustrated a first means in the forming of a tile, such first means being in the form of a bottom plate for mold boxes dispensing device, the dispensing device being referred to in general by the reference numeral 88. The dispensing device 88 includes a suitable platform 90 which is carried at the upper ends of spaced supports 92. The platform 90 is disposed generally outside of the confines of the rotary table, but is in partially overlying relation with respect thereto. Secured to the inner edge of the platform 90 is a vertically disposed housing 94 having open lower and upper ends. The housing 94 is intended to have received therein a stack of bottom plates for molds, the bottom plates being referred to by the reference numeral 96 and being best illustrated in Figure 23. The details of the bottom plate 96 will be set forth hereinafter.

Secured to the underside of the platform 90 and extending inwardly therefrom in spaced underlying relation to the housing 94 is a pair of bottom plate supporting members 98 and 100. The bottom plate supporting members 98 and 100 are disposed adjacent the sides of the housing 94 and support the individual bottom plates 96 of the stack of bottom plates 96.

Disposed intermediate the supporting members 98 and 100 and the lower end of the housing 94 is a dispensing plate 102. The dispensing plate 102 is generally U-shaped in outline and includes a pair of arms 104 and 106 connected together by elongated member 108. The arms 104 and 106 and the elongated member 108 define an opening 110 of a size for receiving a bottom plate 96. As best illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the dispensing plate 102 rests upon and is supported by the supporting members 98 and 100.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 in particular, it will be seen that there is carried by the platform a centrally located brace 112 whose opposite end is secured to the upper edge of the housing 94 in order to insure proper supporting of the same. Disposed on opposite sides of the brace 112 and pivotally connected to the platform 90 as at 114 and 116 are arms 118 and 120, respectively. The arms 118 and 120 are connected to the arms 104 and 106 of the dispensing plate 102, respectively, in order to properly position the dispensing plate 102 with respect to the housing 94.

Carried by the platform 90 adjacent one end thereof is a pair of spaced guides 122 between which a slide member 124 is positioned. The slide member 124 is elongated and is provided with a sinusoidal cam track 126 therein. The slide member 124 is intended to be reciprocated transversely of the platform 90 in parallel relation with respect to the brace 112.

Extending upwardly from the floor of a building in which the tile forming machine is to be mounted adjacent the one end of the platform 90 is a support 128. The support 128 has connected to the upper part thereof spaced leg portions 130. The leg portions 130 have their lower ends connected to the support 128 and are connected together at their upper ends by a block 132. They are also connected together intermediate their ends by a block 134.

The leg portions 130 form a guide for a bar 136 which is mounted for reciprocatory movement longitudinally of the platform 90. The bar 136 has one end thereof in overlying relation with respect to the bar 120 and is connected thereto by a pin 138. The opposite end of the bar 136 is provided with an upstanding block 140 to which is hingedly connected by a hinge 142 an upper bar 144. The opposite end of the upper bar 144 is urged toward the bar 136 by a tension spring 146.

Suitably secured to the upper bar 144 depending therefrom is a follower 148. The follower 148 passes downwardly through the bar 136 and is normally disposed in the cam track 126.

Referring now to Figures 4, 9 and 10, it will be readily apparent that when the slide member 124 is moved to the left, as viewed in Figure 4, the dispensing plate 102 is moved to the right as viewed in Figure 9. This results in the movement of an edge of the lowermost bottom plate 96 off of the supporting member 98, as is illustrated in Figure 10. The dispensing plate 102 is then urged to the left, as viewed in Figure 10, with the result that the opposite end of the partially released bottom plate 96 is then urged off of the supporting member 100 so that it will drop down into a mold box 16 which is disposed in underlying relation with respect to the housing 94, as is best illustrated in Figure 5. At the end of the movement of the slide member 124 to the left, the dispensing plate 102 is returned to its initial position of Figure 9.

In order that the dispensing plate 102 will not be moved in the return of the slide member 124 to its original position, there is provided a cam member for elevating the follower 148 out of the cam track 126, the cam member being referred to by the reference numeral 150 and is best illustrated in Figure 7. The cam member 150 is carried by a pivot pin 152 supported by a block 154 mounted on the bar 136.

As is best illustrated in Figure 7, carried by one of the leg portions 130 adjacent its lower end is a stop pin 156. The stop pin 156 limits pivoting of the cam member 150 in a clockwise direction, or to the right as viewed in Figures 4 and 5. When the cam member 150 is in this position, the upper bar 144 is in the position illustrated in Figure 6. However, the right hand end of the slide member 124, as viewed in Figures 4 and 8, is provided with a stop member 158. As the slide member 124 reaches the left hand end of its travel, the stop member 158 engages the cam member 150 to effect counter-clockwise rotation thereof. This cams the upper bar 144 up in the air so that the follower 148 is moved out of the cam track 126. Then when the slide member 124 moves to the right, as viewed in Figure 4, a follower 148 is temporarily rendered ineffective and the dispensing plate 102 is not reciprocated to dispense an additional one of the bottom plates 96.

Carried by the slide member 124 remote from the stop member 158 is a stop member 160. The stop member 160 engages the cam member 150 as the slide member 124 approaches the right hand end of its travel so as to urge the cam member 150 in a clockwise direction whereby it is returned to its normal position of Figure 7 and both the upper bar 144 and the follower 148 is again lowered due to the urgence of the spring 146. It is also pointed out that the spring 146 retains the cam member 150 in its adjusted position as set by the stop member 158.

Referring now to Figure 5 in particular, it will be seen that there is carried by a floor 162 on which the tile forming machine is mounted a block 164 to which the lower end of a link 166 is pivoted. The upper end of the link 166 is pivoted as at 168 to a horizontal link 170 which is in turn connected to the stop lock 158 by a pivot pin 172. Pivotally connected to the link 166 intermediate its height by means of a pivot pin 17 4 is an elongated link 176. The manner in which the link 176 is re ciprocated to effect reciprocatory movement of the slide member 124 will be set forth in more detail hereinafter.

From the foregoing description of the above invention, it will be seen that there has been devised a relatively simple machine which is so constructed whereby through a plurality of timed sequence steps will continuously form roofing tiles and the like. The sequence and timed relation of the steps is such that a complete tile is formed in one cycle of the machine.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a tile forming machine including a rotary table, a plurality of circumferentially spaced mold boxes carried by said table, means for placing bottom plates in said mold boxes, said means including a housing having open upper and lower ends for receiving a stack of bottom plates, said housing overlying said rotary table and being alignable with said mold boxes, a dispensing plate at the bottom of said housing retaining bottom plates therein, said dispensing plate having an opening therein of a size to receive a bottom plate, bottom plate supporting members at opposite sides of said housing below said dispensing plate, a bottom plate disposed in said dispensing plate resting on said bottom plate supporting members, and means for reciprocating said dispensing plate to move first one end of a bottom plate 011 of one of said bottom 6 plate supporting members and then the other end of the one bottom plate of the other of said bottom plate supporting members, the last mentioned means including a follower connected to said dispensing plate, a slide member having a cam track receiving said follower, and cam means for rendering said follower ineffective in one direction of movement of said slide member.

2. In a tile forming machine including a rotary table, a plurality of circumferentially spaced mold boxes carried by said table, means for placing bottom plates in said mold boxes, said means including a housing having open upper and lower ends for receiving a stack of bottom plates, said housing overlying said rotary table and being alignable with said mold boxes, a dispensing plate at the bottom of said housing retaining bottom plates therein, said dispensing plate having an opening therein of a size to receive a bottom plate, bottom plates supporting members at opposite sides of said housing below said dispens ing plate, a bottom plate disposed in said dispensing plate resting on said bottom plate supporting members, and means for reciprocating said dispensing plate to move first one end of a bottom plate off of one of said bottom plate supporting members and then the other end of the one bottom plate of the other of said bottom plate supporting members, the last mentioned means including a follower connected to said dispensing plate, a slide member having a cam track receiving said follower, and cam means for rendering said follower ineflfective in one direction of movement of said slide member, said cam member being pivotally mounted for selectively raising said follower out of said cam track, stop members on said slide member for positioning said cam member.

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